La versión español está después de la versión inglés.
IT MADE SENSE TO GET the surf in the background with today’s mask, but the sun was in the wrong direction at 9 this morning. So, I opted for the reflection of the sea in my sunglasses. Besides, the sea is calm.
Side A of the mask (I’ll share Side B tomorrow) looks to me like it was inspired by the famous woodblock print “Under the Wave off Kanagawa” (or simply “The Wave”) by Japanese artist Hokusai. In this version, riding a wave are the words “a smooth sea never made a skilled sailor.” If that’s true, San Geraldo and I must be master mariners. Or, at least, old sea dogs.
We had some financial (tax) surprises recently — not good ones — and have lost a bit of sleep, but all will be well. It usually is. And if it isn’t, we manage.
Last week, The Kid Brother was still “fine,” work was “good,” weather was “hot,” dinner was “done,” he had been “out.” I suppose four weeks in a row of a semblance of conversation was too much to hope for. Maybe tomorrow will be better. Still, I’m glad he’s “fine.” I hope you are fine, as well. Or even: “Quite fine. Thank you for asking. How are you and The Big Guy doing?” (I can dream, can’t I?)
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HABÍA SENTIDO OBTENER EL SURF en el fondo con la mascarilla de hoy, pero el sol estaba en la dirección equivocada a las 9 de la mañana. Entonces, opté por el reflejo del mar en mis gafas de sol. Además, el mar está en calma.
El lado “A” de la mascarilla (compartiré el lado “B” mañana) me parece inspirado en el famoso grabado en madera “Debajo de la Ola de Kanagawa” (o simplemente “La Ola”) del artista japonés Hokusai. En esta versión, montar una ola son las palabras “un mar tranquilo nunca hizo un marinero experto”. Si eso es cierto, San Geraldo y yo debemos ser maestros marineros. O, al menos, viejos perros de mar.
Recientemente tuvimos algunas sorpresas financieras (fiscales) — no buenas — y hemos perdido un poco de sueño, pero todo estará bien. Por lo general, lo es. Y si no es así, lo gestionamos.
La semana pasada, El Hermanito todavía estaba “bien”, el trabajo era “bueno”, el clima era “caluroso”, la cena estaba “hecha”, él había estado “fuera”. Supongo que cuatro semanas seguidas de una conversación parecida era demasiado esperar. Tal vez mañana será mejor. Aún así, me alegro de que esté “bien”. Espero que también estés bien. O incluso: “Muy bien. Gracias por preguntar. ¿Cómo estás? ¿Cómo estás tú y El Grandote?” (Puedo soñar, ¿no?)
TIme for a swim? Or a wade into the water? I don’t know as you ever write about going in or near the water. Here is to hoping Chuck is in a talkative mood. All is well here, not much new, busy, crazy, I took Friday off.
David:
Although I love the water, I hate COLD water. And my idea of cold is a bit extreme. If water temperature is below 76F, I hate to go in, which means I HATE to go in most if not all year here. However, if air temp gets above 90F, I can usually manage the “chill.” When we had our hotel in Palm Springs, we kept the pool heated in winter to 86F. For me that was perfection… and our guests loved it.
Really like the mask…..and yes inspired by ‘ The Wave’ undoubtedly.
Great first photo.
Oh those tax surprises get you every time! Like the government doesn’t have enough!
The ‘Kid Brother’ seems to be a minimalist with language usage. You know he LOVES you.
Jim:
I DO know The Kid Brother loves me and I know I love him. And as long is he’s fine, good, hot, and has eaten, that’s all that matters.
Love the mask.
The Kid Brother is just succinct!
Tax problems? Ick!
Bob:
I love the mask, too. The tax problems will pass. If I tell The Kid Brother he’s succinct, he’ll say, “Hey!!! Watch it wise guy.”
Very arty photo!
Debra:
Aw, thanks. I had fun.
yeah, that first photo; nice. all is well with chuck; good.
anne marie:
I do love that first photo. Sometimes I please myself. Yeah, Chuck is fine and that’s all that matters. More Chuck tonight, I hope.
If it isn’t one thing or another, you don’t seem destined to get a decent night’s sleep in recent days. Taxes or sciatica–both PIAs.
On the other hand, you and San Geraldo are looking good these days–with or without your masks. Here’s to better days.
Mary:
Yes, here’s to better days! What is your beverage of choice right now. Mine, sadly, is tea!
Same here–tea!
Mary:
Well, a tea toast to better days!
Hugs to you both, Scoot.
And back to you, dear Deedles!
It’s my next older brother who’s the laconic one in my family (3 brothers; I’m the youngest). Phone calls with both me and my eldest brother seldom last more than 5 min., after not hearing from him in many months. Middle child he is, what can I say?
Wickedhamster:
I get the impression your middle brother doesn’t have the same issues as mine. “The Kid Brother” is learning disabled and lives in a residence apartment he shares with two other guys like him. It’s managed by an organization in NYC. A wonderful situation. He couldn’t live independently. And, sometimes, my conversations with him are pleasant and so entertaining. But … often… I’d be pulling my hair out if I had any left. Still, I think I’d rather be frustrated by MY non-communicative brother than by yours. It wears you down, doesn’t it?
I love the hibiscus in the first picture! Are that what those flowers are? They grace the hair so lovely. I love the reflection in your glass lens. Theyd look even better with a nude man in them!!!!!
Mistress Maddie:
Yes, those are hibiscus. The city plants them in hedges and accents all over the place. It’s breathtaking. We also have 5 of them on our terrace, all different colors. And we can see them all from inside the apartment. I don’t see nude men around here, but I DO see lots of semi-nudes that DO look great in my glasses. I’ll probably sneak a picture in soon among the other stuff.
How I long to go to the beach! Even though it’s only abou a 1.5 hour drive away, I doubt I see the ocean at all this year. The beaches here are all C19 hotspots (big surprise!).
It’s good to have a Kid Brother update!
Jennifer:
And today I was thinking I should stop with all the beach pictures. So boring! We’ve lived a couple of times in our lives together in places where the beach was an hour or more away. I grew up near the beach, and never did well away from it. Keep a good thought for my conversation tonight with The Kid Brother. Sometimes, our “conversations” (mine with myself) sap my energy. But he makes up for it when he’s up.
Those masks are great! I love the reflection in your sunglasses, and their color, too.
Judy:
I love these sunglasses. Really great quality, too. I usually buy cheap because I’m so careless with them. The masks are so much fun, and there are now more coming.
I love “artsy” masks like yours. I have about six masks that I rotate through, but my favorite right now has images of Frida Kahlo.
TexasTrailerPark:
Frida Kahlo art would make an amazing mask. We do have some great ones. Will eventually share them all — just have to find the right shirts!
Groovy selfie – love the sea in your glasses. Sorry about the taxes, they are a pain in the ass. Every year I try and guestimate how much so I can tuck away money each month – and hopefully have some leftover. This year I guessed $100 short. Not the end of the world but still!
Cheapchick:
Oh, a $100 error. Can we trade?!? No, you’re much too careful to have a screw-up like ours. All our fault, too. Oh well, I’ve still got the sea in my glasses.
That’s a great mask. I love the reflection in your sunglasses. Very cool.
Love,
Janie
janiejunebug:
The reflections and shadows can be so wonderful. I haven’t even worn most of the masks yet.
I have a framed print of “The Wave”. It makes a great mask on you. Good luck with the taxes.
Wilma:
Yeah, the taxes are completely our mistake and we caught it; no one else did. So that’s a help.. I do love that woodblock…. no matter how many times I’ve seen it.
We just learned about tax problems in our family too! The IRS must be on a rampage!
I’ve always liked that Hokusai wave.
Steve:
It says a lot for The Great Wave that it can be so ubiquitous and still so appreciated.
I, too, think that is a cool mask. Or maybe it’s “fine.” “Good.” “Hot.” And “done.” Like Urspo’s men. It’s definately “out.”
Walt the Fourth:
Maybe The Kid Brother is the reason I use so many words; I’m always trying to fill the void.
Taxes makes me wonder. Was there anything in Spain like a stimulus check? I don’t know if this is true or not, but I was told here in the States the earlier you filed your taxes, the quicker you got those checks.
Kirk:
There is different kind of assistance here, but no stimulus check, per se. I don’t know if that’s true about taxes and the stimulus check either. Given some of the stories I’ve heard, it doesn’t seem likely they were in sync at all.